Photos: IDP summit descends into chaos
Summit were consistently disrupted.
The Integrated Development Plan (IDP) Summit at the Roodepoort Town Hall became so chaotic Tuesday evening (8 May) that the Metro Police had to step in.
Before the summit even started at 6pm members of the EFF and other parties started their shenanigans. First they screamed and shouted while the Chief Whip of the Council, Kevin Wax, said an opening prayer. They then turned their attention to Mayor Herman Mashaba and his team on the stage, insisting that they were not interested in listening to introductions, but that they wanted to be heard straight away. Others soon joined their chorus and things got heated. DA Ward 84 counsellor Gert Niemand, DA Speaker Vasco da Gama and MMC for Economic Development, Leah Knott had a hard time trying to restore order.
There was a heavy Metro Police presence, and the officers soon had no choice but to step in. This led to a confrontation which almost escalated to a fist fight. Metro Police officers led a few of the culprits outside.
Also Read: Roodepoort residents unhappy about IDP
This did not discourage the troublemakers though and speakers were consistently disrupted.
When it came to the question-and-answer session, interruptions became so frequent and intense that Knott abandoned the session midway.
Niemand afterwards described the summit as “painful” and “one big mess”.
This was not the first time an IDP summit was disrupted.
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